Network remote control

ABSTRACT

A network of devices with remote control includes a network interconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remote control unit for communicating with one or more of the networked devices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more of the networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlled with the remote control unit.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/926,920, filed on Aug. 26, 2004, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Many modern devices can be controlled with a remote control unit. Forexample, television sets, video cassette recorders and stereo/audiosystems typically come with a remote control unit that can be used tocontrol that device from a distance.

Typically a remote control unit is a unidirectional, point-to-pointcommunications device for transmitting user input to the device beingcontrolled. Many remote control units operate using an infra-red signalto transmit user input to the device being controlled. This generallyrequires a line-of-sight between the remote control unit and thecontrolled device. Some remote control units signal the devicecontrolled with a radio frequency (RF) signal. This allows the remotecontrol unit to signal and control the device without being in view ofthe device.

Each remote control unit has a specific, fixed protocol that is used tocommunicate with the device being controlled. The protocol is definedand programmed into the remote control unit and the controlled device bythe manufacturer. This is done so that multiple remote controls can beused simultaneously to control multiple devices, with the signal fromeach remote control unit being recognized and used only by the devicebuilt to communicate with that remote control unit.

Some remote control units are designed to support multiple communicationprotocols so as to be able to control multiple devices, even devicesfrom different manufacturers. Such remote control units are programmedwith a variety of different communication protocols. The protocol beingused by the remote control unit can then be switched using controls onthe remote control unit itself. In this way, the user can selectivelyoperate the remote control unit to send commands to a number ofdifferent controlled devices.

SUMMARY

A network of devices with remote control includes a networkinterconnecting two or more networked devices and a wireless remotecontrol unit for communicating with one or more of the networkeddevices. The remote control unit stores an interface for one or more ofthe networked devices so that the networked devices can be controlledwith the remote control unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the presentinvention and are a part of the specification. The illustratedembodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do notlimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network and remote control unit fornetworked devices according to principles described herein.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary network remote control unitaccording to principles described herein.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary networked device according toprinciples described herein.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of controllingnetworked devices with a remote control unit according to principlesdescribed herein.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another exemplary remote control unitaccording to principles described herein.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of storing userpreferences with the remote control unit of FIG. 5 according toprinciples described herein.

Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar,but not necessarily identical, elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to principles described herein, a network is implemented amongvarious devices in a particular environment, for example, a residence oroffice suite. The network can be a wired or wireless network. A remotecontrol unit is described that controls the various devices connected tothe network. The remote control unit may transmit commands directed to aparticular networked device or may send the commands for that devicethrough the network to the device being controlled.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary network and remote control unit fornetworked devices according to principles described herein. As shown inFIG. 1, a network (101) is implemented to create connections among avariety of different device in a particular environment. This may be anyenvironment, for example, a home, apartment, office suite, officebuilding, etc.

As indicated above, the network (101) may be a wired or wirelessnetwork. Any network can be used that provides communication among thevarious networked devices.

A wide variety of devices can be connected to the network (101). In theillustrated example, the network includes a television set (104), atelephone (102), a computer (103), a refrigerator (105), an oven orstove (105), a printer (105) and an audio/video system component (107),which could be, for example, a receiver, a tuner, a Digital Video Disk(DVD) player, a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR), a Compact Disc (CD)player or the like. Generally, networked devices can be, for example,appliances, electronics, etc., any electrical device.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, these are merelyexamples of the devices that could be connected to the network (101).Any device in a particular environment, which a user might want tocommunicate with from a remote location, can be given network capabilityand connected to the network (101).

A remote control unit (100) is also used with the network. As will bedescribed herein, the remote control unit (100) has the capability tosend commands to and control any of the devices on the network (101).

As shown in FIG. 1, the remote control unit (100) may send commandsdirectly to a particular network device to control that device.Alternatively, the remote control unit (100) may send a command for afirst networked device to another second networked device. The secondnetworked device will transmit the command, over the network (101), tothe first, target device. The network (101) may also have one or moretransceivers (108) connected to the network (101) for the sole purposeof receiving commands from the remote control unit (100) for variousdevices on the network. Each device on the network (101), including theremote control unit (100) will have an address, such as an IP address,so that communications can be routed throughout the network to addressedrecipient devices.

For example, a user may be in one room operating the computer (103) whenthe need to print a document arises. If the printer (106) is turned offand located in another room, the user can use the remote control (100)to turn on the printer (106) and prepare for printing without leavingthe computer (103). The printer (106) can also send status messages tothe remote control unit (100), such as that the printer is low on toneror out of paper, etc.

In another example, the user is watching the television (104), but wantsto preheat the oven (105). The user can accordingly operate the remotecontrol unit (100) to signal the oven (105) to turn on and to preheat toa specified temperature. The user can then continue watching television(104) while the oven preheats.

In another example, the user may want to adjust the settings for therefrigerator (105). Typically, such controls are located at the back ofthe refrigerator or freezer compartment and may be difficult to access.In the example of FIG. 1, the user can simply operate the remote controlunit (100) to adjust the temperature settings in the variouscompartments of the refrigerator (105), initiate energy saving modes,etc. The refrigerator (105) may also send status data to the remotecontrol unit (100) such as the temperature in the various compartments,energy usage data or items that need to be corrected, such as a burnedout light bulb. All the devices on the network may be programmed to usea universal exchange protocol.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary network remote control unitaccording to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 2, the remotecontrol unit (100) has a number of user input device for receiving userinput. The user input devices include a number of keys or buttons (122)that may be assigned to issue particular commands or signals whenactivated.

Additionally, the remote control unit (100) may have a display device(123). This display device (123) may be, for example, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD) device or some other flat panel display device. In someembodiments, the display device (123) is touch-sensitive and can be usedas another user input device. “Soft” buttons can be displayed on thedisplay device (123), which are then activated by pressing the area overwhich the button is displayed on the touch-sensitive screen.

The display device (123) can be used to display a user interface that isspecific to each of the various networked devices. This will bedescribed in more detail below. If communication with a networked deviceis ever lost, an error message can be displayed on the remote controlunit (100). The user can then check the operation of that device and itsnetwork connections to rectify the problem.

The remote control unit (100) may also include a jog dial (121) or otherknob, dial or the like. The jog dial (121) can be used to switch theremote control unit (100) to control different networked devices. Forexample, by rotating the jog dial (121), the remote control unit (100)will switch from an interface for the television set (104, FIG. 1) to aninterface for the DVD player (107, FIG. 1) and will start addressinguser input transmissions to the DVD player.

The lower right-hand portion of FIG. 2 illustrates principal internalcomponents of the remote control unit (100). As shown in FIG. 2, theremote control unit (100) includes a wireless transceiver (124) forcommunicating with the network (101, FIG. 1) and the various networkeddevices. Some, but not necessarily all, of the networked devices willinclude corresponding wireless transceivers for communicating with theremote control unit (100). Some networked devices may rely oncommunicating with the remote control unit through the network and notdirectly. Such a device may have a network connection, but not awireless transceiver.

The wireless transceiver (124) can use any wireless signaling scheme.For example, the transceiver (124) may be an infra-red or radiofrequency (RF) transceiver.

The remote control unit (100) also includes a processor (125) and amemory unit (126). As will be described in more detail below, the memoryunit (126) may be supplemented by a removable memory card or stick. Thememory (126) includes all the programming executed by the processor(125) to provide the remote control unit (100) with all thefunctionality described in this specification.

The memory (126) will also include a network address, such as an IPaddress (127), at which the remote control unit (100) is accessed on thenetwork (101, FIG. 1). With the IP address (127), message orcommunications on the network for the remote control unit can be routedand received by the remote control unit (100).

The remote control unit (100), in some embodiments, may also include aspeaker (128) for outputting sounds as part of a user interface. Asystem bus (129) interconnects the various components of the remotecontrol unit (100).

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary networked device according toprinciples described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, a typical networkeddevice (130) will include a processor (132) and a memory (133). Thememory (133) includes all the programming executed by the processor(132) to provide the networked device (130) with all the functionalitydescribed in this specification.

The networked device (130) also includes a network connector/transceiver(131). In a wired network (101, FIG. 1), the networkconnector/transceiver (131) may be a connector that physically connectsto a network cable. In a wired network (101, FIG. 1), the networkconnector/transceiver (131) may be a transceiver that communicateswireless with the network (101, FIG. 1). Some networked devices (130)may include both a network connector and a transceiver so as to beoperable with both wired and wireless networks.

In some embodiments, the networked device (130) may include a user inputdevice (134) such as a keypad, a keyboard, buttons, dials, knobs, adisplay, a touch-sensitive display or a combination of such devices. Theuser input device (134) may be used to receive input controlling thedevice (130). The user input device (134) may also be used to input userpreferences.

The memory (133) also includes a remote control interface (135). This isan electronic interface that can be transmitted from the networkeddevice (130) to the remote control unit (100, FIG. 1).

The interface (135) will provide the remote control unit (100, FIG. 1)with the functions that can be performed by or controlled on thenetworked device (130). For example, the interface (135) may assignparticular functions to the keys (122, FIG. 2) on the remote control(100, FIG. 2). Additionally or alternatively, the interface (135) mayinclude a number of soft buttons or user interface screens that can bedisplayed on the display device (123, FIG. 2) of the remote control unit(100, FIG. 2). These user interface screens may include graphics oranimation sequences to facilitate the user's understanding of, andinteraction with, the networked device (130). In short, the interface(135) provides all the data, display, communication protocols, etc. forthe user to be able to use the remote control unit (100, FIG. 1) tointeract with and control the networked device (130).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of controllingnetworked devices with a remote control unit according to principlesdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 4, the process begins when a newdevice is connected to the network (140). The networked device isconfigured (step 141) on the network by assigning a network address tothe device so that communications can be directed to the device. Thenetworked device will also be configured by receiving the networkaddress of the remote control unit (100, FIG. 1) so that the newnetworked device can communicate with the remote control unit.

During subsequent operation, a networked device may receive acommunication not addressed to that device, directly from the remotecontrol unit, for example. In such a case, the device is programmed topass the communication on to a network router for delivery to theaddressed device or to send the communication directly to the addresseddevice via the network.

After the new device is configured on the network, communication is thenestablished between the remote control unit and the new networkeddevice. This may result from the newly-configured device signaling theremote control unit. Alternatively, the remote control unit may detectthat a new device has been connected to the network (determination 142)and may query that device.

Once communication is established (step 143) between the new device andthe remote control unit, the remote control unit will determine if thenew networked device has a remote control interface (determination 144).If so, the interface for that new networked device is transmitted to theremote control unit (step 145).

The interface for each of the devices on the network is stored in thememory (126) of the remote control unit (100). Consequently, when theuser desires to control a particular networked device, the user canselect that device on the remote control unit. The remote control unitthen uses the interface for that networked device to facilitate userunderstanding and control of that networked device. Input from the usercan then be transmitted from the remote control unit to the controlleddevice (step 146). Additionally, status information, such as errormessages or operating parameters, can be received from the networkeddevice and displayed for the user on the remote control unit.

User preferences are an important part of most device configurations.Many devices can be configured to operate in a particular fashion asmost desired by a user. User preferences can control the look and/orfeel of a device to the user so that the device best meets the needs anddesires of the user.

After a user inputs user preference settings, the storage of userpreferences is typically in non-volatile memory on the device itself.Some devices allow for plug-in non-volatile memory for the storage ofuser preference settings. However, a user is then required to insert amemory module directly into the device. If the device is stored in acabinet, the exchange of a memory module for storing user preferencesettings may become inconvenient.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of another exemplary remote control unitaccording to principles described herein. As shown in FIG. 5, the remotecontrol unit (100) may include a memory card slot (151) for receiving amemory module (150). The memory module (150) may be non-volatile memory,such as Flash memory and may be a memory card, chip or stick.

This memory module (150) may replace or supplement the memory (126, FIG.2) of the remote control unit (100, FIG. 2). The memory module (150) canalso be used to store in one central location the user preferencesettings or user preference data for all of the networked devices thatsupport specified user preferences.

The memory module (150) is then easily extracted from the remote controlunit (100) if, for example, the user wants to transport theirpreferences to another network or for some other reason. In theillustrated embodiment, the slot or port (151) for the memory module(150) is located at the bottom end of the remote control unit (100) sothat the module will not interfere with operation or handling of theremote control unit (100).

The remote control unit (100) of FIG. 5 may also include a button forupdating or storing user preference data. This button may be a dedicatedhard button (153) or a soft button on the display (123). This button andits function will be described in more detail below. The button (153)may cause an update of user preference settings only for the networkeddevice to which the remote control (100) is then set, or may cause ageneral updating of user preference data for all networked devices.

As described above, user preference setting or data for any networkeddevice can be centrally stored on the network remote control unitdescribed herein. This user preference data may be stored on theremovable memory module described with reference to FIG. 5 or may bestored in the non-removable memory in the remote control unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of storing userpreferences in the remote control unit of FIG. 5 according to principlesdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 6, the networked device may firstdetermine, through communication with the remote control unit, whetherexternal memory is support and/or present in the remote control unit(determination 161). This means that a determination is made whether theremote control unit will accept and store user preference data for thenetworked device and, if that storage is on a removable memory module,whether that module is present and available in the remote control unit.

If the remote control unit is able to serve as external memory for thenetworked device to store user preference settings for the networkeddevice, a determination may then be made whether any user preferencedata is already stored for the networked device in the remote controlunit (determination 162). If not, memory space can be allocated in theremote control unit, for example, on a removable memory module, to storethe user preference data for that networked device (step 163). Thenetworked device may advise the remote control unit as to the amount ofmemory needed for storing user preference settings or that device.Alternatively, the remote control unit may include a look-up tablespecifying the quantity of memory that should be allocated for userpreference data for various supported networked devices. In either case,the amount of memory needed for storage of user preference data for thenetworked device in question is determined and then, if available,allocated within the memory of the remote control unit, includingremovable memory.

User preference settings can be entered either on the remote controlunit or into the networked device itself (determination 164). Theinterface on the remote control unit for a particular network device mayinclude controls for specifying user preferences. Accordingly, userpreference settings can be entered into the remote control unit (step165) and stored in the memory of the remote control unit. These usersettings may then be implemented entirely on the remote control unit andthe way the remote control unit represents the corresponding networkeddevice or may be transmitted in whole or in part to the networked deviceitself to subsequently govern operation of that device.

Alternatively, the user preference data or settings can be entereddirectly into the controlled device itself (step 166). The userpreference data may then be stored on that controlled device and/ortransmitted in whole or in part to the remote control unit for storagein the remote control unit memory (step 167).

Once user preference settings are stored on the remote control unit fora particular networked device, those preferences can be transmitted tothe controlled device as needed or requested. In some cases, the storageof the user preference settings on the remote control may be as a backupto the same settings stored on the corresponding device. In other cases,the remote control unit may be the primary or sole storage of the userpreference settings for a particular networked device and may need totransmit those preference settings to the networked device on a regularbasis, such as whenever that networked device is powered up.

Additionally, the user preferences may be periodically edited orupdated. As noted above, the remote control unit may have a button forcausing the user preferences to be edited or updated. When this buttonis activated (determination 170), the remote control unit may transmituser preference data to the networked device and/or receive userpreference data from the networked device (step 171). This may be donefor all devices or for a particular networked device, such as theparticular networked device that the remote control unit is set tocontrol when the update button is activated.

In this way, user preference settings may be updated and synchronized.For example, the user may have input user preference settings or changesto the user preference settings using the remote control, using the userinput device of that particular networked device or both. During theupdate, all the changes made to the user preference settings will becollected and synchronized. If inconsistent changes have been made tothe settings, the user can be prompted to clarify or input the desireduser preference setting.

After this synchronization of user input data, the remote control unitmay the query the user as to whether further edits to the userpreference data are desired (determination 172). If the user wants tofurther edit the user preference data or settings (determination 172),the user can then choose to edit the user preference data via either theremote control unit or the controlled device itself (determination 164).

The preceding description has been presented only to illustrate anddescribe embodiments of the invention. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined bythe following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remote control unit comprising: a transceiverconfigured to receive a plurality of interfaces from networked devices;a display device configured to display user interface screens, at leastone of the user interface screens being generated from a given interfaceof the plurality of interfaces; a processor configured to generate acommand, the given interface being used to generate the command, whereinthe command instructs an electrical device to perform or control afunction, the electrical device being one of the networked devices,wherein a network interconnects with each of the networked devices, thenetworked devices being end devices configured to communicate using thenetwork, and wherein the command is initiated from the remote controlunit responsive to selection based upon the generated user interfacescreen and is sent through a different one of the networked devices tothe electrical device.
 2. The remote control unit according to claim 1,wherein the given interface includes data for a plurality of devicefunctions that are performable or controllable by the electrical device,the function being one of the device functions.
 3. The remote controlunit according to claim 1, wherein the given interface includes data foruser preference settings, the user preference settings being input intothe electrical device.
 4. The remote control unit according to claim 3,wherein the user preference settings are editable by a user.
 5. Theremote control unit according to claim 1, further comprising a memorycard slot for receiving a removable memory module, the removable memorymodule storing the plurality of interfaces.
 6. The remote control unitaccording to claim 1, wherein the remote control unit is assigned aremote control unit network address that uniquely identifies the remotecontrol unit on the network.
 7. The remote control unit according toclaim 1, wherein the transceiver wirelessly communicates with thenetwork.
 8. The remote control unit according to claim 1, wherein thetransceiver communicates with the network by wire.
 9. The remote controlunit according to claim 1, wherein each of the networked devices isindividually identifiable and addressable on the network.
 10. The remotecontrol unit according to claim 1, wherein the display device is atouch-sensitive display device, the user interface screens configured toinclude one or more soft buttons.
 11. The remote control unit accordingto claim 1, wherein another of the plurality of interfaces is originatedfrom another of the networked devices and is used to generate another ofthe user interface screens.
 12. An electrical device comprising: anetwork connector/transceiver configured to output an interface onto anetwork, the interface including a plurality of device functions; aprocessor configured to execute a command to perform or control afunction, the function being one of the device functions, wherein thenetwork connector/transceiver receives the command, the commandoriginating from a remote control unit, the remote control unitgenerating the command using the interface through a remote controldisplay that displays user interface screens, wherein the storedinterface is used to generate one of the user interface screens, whereinthe electrical device is one of a plurality of networked devicesinterconnected by a network, the networked devices being end devicesconnected to the network, and wherein the command is initiated from theremote control unit responsive to selection based upon the generateduser interface screen and is received by the electrical device through adifferent one of the networked devices.
 13. The electrical deviceaccording to claim 12, wherein the interface includes user preferencesettings, the user preference settings being input into the electricaldevice.
 14. The electrical device according to claim 12, wherein thenetwork connector/transceiver wirelessly communicates with the network.15. The electrical device according to claim 12, wherein the networkconnector/transceiver communicates with the network by wire.
 16. Theelectrical device according to claim 12, wherein each of the networkeddevices is individually identifiable and addressable on the network. 17.A method for controlling an electrical device, the method comprising:receiving a plurality of interfaces from networked devices; promptingdisplay of user interface screens, at least one of the user interfacescreens being generated from a given interface of the plurality ofinterfaces; and generating a command using the given interface, whereinthe command instructs the electrical device to perform or control afunction, the electrical device being one of the networked devices,wherein a network interconnects with each of the networked devices, thenetworked devices being end devices configured to communicate using thenetwork, and wherein the command is initiated in response to selectionbased upon the generated user interface screen and is sent through adifferent one of the networked devices to the electrical device.
 18. Aremote control unit comprising: a transceiver configured to receive aplurality of interfaces from networked devices; a display deviceconfigured to display user interface screens, at least one of the userinterface screens being generated from a given interface of theplurality of interfaces; a processor configured to generate a command,the given interface being used to generate the command, wherein thecommand instructs an electrical device to perform or control a function,the electrical device being one of the networked devices, wherein anetwork interconnects with each of the networked devices, the networkeddevices being end devices configured to communicate using the network,and wherein the command is initiated from the remote control unitresponsive to selection based upon the generated user interface screenand is sent through the network to the electrical device.
 19. A methodfor controlling an electrical device, the method comprising: receiving aplurality of interfaces from networked devices; prompting display ofuser interface screens, at least one of the user interface screens beinggenerated from a given interface of the plurality of interfaces; andgenerating a command using the given interface, wherein the commandinstructs the electrical device to perform or control a function, theelectrical device being one of the networked devices, wherein a networkinterconnects with each of the networked devices, the networked devicesbeing end devices configured to communicate using the network, andwherein the command is initiated in response to selection based upon thegenerated user interface screen and is sent through the network to theelectrical device.